The field is approximately 3,000 ft long, which precludes larger aircraft from using it. Unfortunately, there is a small group of Biddeford residents that feel it is their mission in life to close the airport. Like many other fields like this around the country, these are people that would say or do anything to simply have their way with another public airport. As well, it is again another political topic that most local politicians have done their best to avoid. Rather than seriously considering the value of this air field to their own town and the region around them, they have muddled around enough to allow a minority group of residents dictate the policies of the town.
Unfortunately, Biddeford is not alone in this practice. Too many citizens in towns around America allow the noisy politically-bent minority run their towns and make decisions for the majority. Look closely at your own town or city politics and you'll see the same thing. Too few citizens regularly let their representatives know what their opinions are regarding the running of their town, state, and country. The so-called Patriot Act is a stark example of our citizenry turning a blind eye to our governments.
I'm off my soapbox... I urge all citizens to stand up to special interest group pressures and let it be known to your local, state, and federal representatives what you feel is important. Think carefully about how our small airfields across the country have contributed to our society in the past and how they will continue to contribute in the future. If you feel aviation is just a bunch of rich kids, then perhaps you should take a look at how many hard working people put their hard earned money towards something they're passionate about. Look around your neighorhood for all those $50-100,000 plus boats, $10,000 jet-skis, $20,000 motorcycles, $10,000 ATVs and snowmobiles. Not to mention $40-$60,000 SUVs that eat huge amounts of $3.50 gas. How rich does a $30-60,000 airplane look now?
Consider that these rapidly dissapearing small airports around our country are preserving a passion that has had a tremendous effect on our society in the past 100+ years. Our future figher pilots, airline pilots, and even aviation engineers all start at small airports. It is critical to our future and our freedom to do such things as fly, to support these airports.
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